Standard Chartered Sees Ethereum at $40,000, But With a Twist

Analysts at Standard Chartered have projected that the Ethereum (ETH) price could reach $40,000 by 2030. This prediction is one of the boldest long-term forecasts for the digital asset so far.

While forecasts suggest Ethereum could see a big increase in value, its current price movement is more cautious. The market is still shaped by supply levels, gradual recovery, and the need for long-term investment rather than quick rallies.

A $40,000 Ethereum Implies a Trillion-Dollar Shift

Standard Chartered’s forecast rests on Ethereum consistently converting new demand into inactive supply across many market cycles. The projection does not depend on speculative spikes, but on steady accumulation and capital preservation. 

A price of $40,000 per ETH would place Ethereum’s network value near $4.8 trillion, based on an estimated circulating supply of about 120.7 million ETH. 

Ethereum’s current market value is about $400 billion. To attain the price prediction, around $4.4 trillion in new money would need to enter the market and stay there over time.

This demand cannot be temporary. Ethereum needs to attract money in a way that takes coins out of active trading. Long-term holding and staking would help do this by reducing the amount of ETH available while demand keeps rising.

Without this kind of lock-up, price increases would not last and would drop during market pullbacks instead of growing over time. When new money quickly turns back into sellable supply during corrections, prices struggle to hold real value.

Ethereum’s Current Price Structure

Ethereum is now attempting a recovery after several months of decline. The price recently reached a key resistance area around $3,350, a level that had stopped it from moving higher in the past.

Instead of breaking out freely, price action remains guided by structure, keeping the recovery controlled rather than aggressive.

Following the release of U.S. CPI inflation data on January 13, Ethereum rose by about 7% in one day. The data improved risk appetite across markets and helped ETH move back above its rising trend support. 

Higher lows are still forming, showing strong price structure rather than short-term swings. At the time of writing, Ethereum is trading around $3,325, staying above rising support but still below a key resistance level.

Ethereum Eyes Breakout as Key Resistance Levels Come Into Focus

A strong and lasting move above $3,350 could push the price toward $3,600, a level where heavy selling has happened before. If buyers stay in control above $3,600, Ethereum could move closer to the $4,000 area.

The technical signals are mildly positive. The Parabolic SAR is below the price, showing the trend may continue. The RSI is around 65, suggesting demand is strong but not overheated.

However, if Ethereum fails to break above these resistance levels, the price could move sideways again and weaken the short-term outlook.